Camouflaging method and device therefor



June 13, 1944. M. MITCHELL CAHIOUI.AING METHOD AND DEVICE THEREFOR Filed NOV. 26, 1941 3 Chants-Sheet l.

Nvzmon Muro/v MHC/ML ATTORNEY JUIIG 13, M M|TCHELL 2,351,142

CAMOUFLAGING METHOD AND DEVICE THEREFOR Filed Nov. 26. 19,41 3 Shasta-Sheet 2 17 yf/2PM ATTORNEY mvenron g Muvo/J Mlm/fm my June 13, 1944. M MWCHELL CAMOUFLAGING METHOD AND DEVICE THEREFOR Filed Nov. 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

INVENTOR M5L/10N M/rc/mz ATTORNEY Patented June 13, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAMOUFLAGING METHOD AND DEVICE THEBEFOR 'Ihis invention relates to a system of camouflaging particularly adapted for military use in concealing objectives from the enemy.

According to the methods of camoullaging heretofore known and used, of which the applicant has full knowledge by virtue of his experience as a. camouflage expert. large sections of cord netting are employed as a conveniently pliable foundation material adapted to accommodate, through the interstices thereof, suitably intertwined strips of colored fabric or other material to give a desired color or texture effect-various sections of auch netting being secured together and spread over the objects to be concealed. The work of preparing such camouflage nets and piecemealing them together is both laborious and tlmcoa mung, being at timos dangerously slow for milita. purposes. It is primarily within the contemplation of my invention to eliminate the shortcomings hereinabove referred to in camouflaging methods by enabling objectives, whether large or small. to be quickLv and effectively camoufieged in simple manner and with a minimum of labor, to simulate any desired effect. And in this aspect of this invention. it is an important object to employ a prcfabricated camouilaging unit so as to simplify and expedite the method oi' concealing any military objective by camouflaging means.

Briefly. the method of my invention includes the cutting of suitably disposed slits into sheets o! camouflage material, applying a pull on the material in a direction transverse to the length of the slits. thereby producing a mesh-like arrangement of the material with a plurality of interstices. Sections of such material, in expanded condition, are secured together. and spread over either small or extended areas that are intended to be hidden from the enenn'. the camouflage covering thus obtained being also suitably secured to the covered object.

It il within the further contemplation of this invention to eliminate ndr pendent oord netting, chicken wire and var'. ne types of wire mosh commonly employed in camouflage coverings as separate and component*l parte, and to errploy in lieu thereof a structure capable of performing the function of said netting and wire. and form ing an integral part of the covering.

In the commonly used cord netting method abo referred to. the intertwined strips employed are generally of limp material. the ends dropping through the interstlces rather than remaining on the upper surface of the netting, so

spect to an airplane observer looking down. It is another object of this invention, in one form thereof. to obviate the use of such strips and to obtain substantially the same effects heretofore obtained by properly disposed strips. by the expedient of warping the material in the region of the interstices created by the method of my invcntion, in a manner to be fully hereinafter de- 'lli @hlt the intended moet il not obtained with rescribed.

It is also within the contemplation of my invention to enable strips of the type above mentioned to be employed if deemed expedient. And in this aspect of my invention, it is a further object to enable these strips to be readily and convcnicntly attached to the camouilege sheets.

A further object of my invention is to provide a camcuiiagc covering that could be readily and inexpensively fabricated on a production basis.

Where the said conventional cord netting or the like is employed. the material is generally so limp as to be difficult to handle: and because of such limpnesa props or other supports are required to prevent undesired sagging and to give a continuous surface effect over sharp-edged objects for concealing their outlines. It is within the further contemplation oi' my invention to provide, in one form thereof, camoufiaging material with semi-rigid reinforcing means, and of such stiffness as to be self-supportable over limited areas, yet sumciently pliable to adequately cover and over-lie irregular objects.

It is also within the contemplation of my lnvention to provide means to ventilato the region below the camouflage covering. This is accomplished by the network of interstices producing: a plurality of Ventilating apertures. which also serve the purpose of peepholes. It is still a fur ther object of my invention to reduce the eil'ect normally produced by strong gusts of wind which have a tendency to distort and blow the coverings apart. This is accomplished in this inven tion by the aforesaid intersticcs which permit the wind to pass therethrough and accordingly disnipote ita force.

Another object of this invention is to enable camouflage coverings to the conveniently carried in rolls, either as independent units. or attached to airplanes, tanks. trucks. other vehicles and stationary structures. whereby the sheets of rolled camouflage materials could thereafter be unrolled like a window shade, for immediate use.

It is s further object of this invention to nrovide camouflage coverings economical of space whilsstoredorbeingtnasportedandalsocapable of being expanded to cover extended areas.

Another object of my invention is to provide camoufiaging material of such properties and in such form as to enable various materials for different effects to be readily classified, stored. sorted, indexed. identified, transported and operatively spread over the objects or areas to be hidden.

Other 'obiects..features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figures 1 and 2 are fragmentary plan and end views, respectively, of a sheet of material to be used as a foundation for the formation of the camouflage covering according to this invention.

Figures 8 and 4 are fragmentary plan and end views, respectively, of the sheet of Figure 1 covcred with a reinforcing material such as asphaltum.

Figure il is a fragmentary plan view of the sheet of Figure 3 lwith slits therein. according to my invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sheet of Figure with ,camouaging strips or ribbons attached to the regions between the slits.

Figure 'I is a fragmentary section of Figure taken along lino 1 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective of another form of tion, substantially similar to that of Figure 6 but with independentA fasteners securing the strips to the sheet.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section of Figure 8 taken substantially along line l-B thereof.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the sheet of Figure 5 showing slits of a portion thereof separated according to the method of this invention, to form an extended mesh-like arrangement.

Figureli is an end view of Figure 10.

`Figure 12 is a perspective view of the camouflage arrangement shown in Figure 6 after the slits had been separated according to the method of this invention.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the camouflage covering of Figure l2 operatively placed over a cannon.

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing granules of camouflage material for producing a predetermined surface effect, according to a modified form of this invention.

Figure 15 is an end view of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a plan view of Figure 14 in expanded condition.

Figure 17 is a perspective of a roll of camouflage material according to my invention, showing a convenient way in which various types and classes of camouflage material can be arranged for storing. asserting and transporting.

Figure 18 is u. perspective view of a cylindrical tubo containing therein a roll of camouflage materinj according to my invention.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective showing the manner of attachment of the camouflage material to the retaining strip within the tube.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of an airplane showing several containers like that of Figure 18 secured in place.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the airplane of Figure 20 with the camouflage sheets rolled downwardly from the containers.

Figure 22 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the airplane of Figure 21, with adjacent camouflage strips secured together after covering according to my inven-v o,ss1,142

being spread apart according to the method of this invention.

Figure 23 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective showing the means of attachment of two adjacent camouflage sections.

Figura 24 is a fragmentary perspective of a modified form of the eamouilaging sheet of my invention.

In the preferred form of my invention, I emlo ploy a sheet of pliable material l! as a founda- (i tion fo: the covering, this material being either a textile fabric, laminated paper or any other suitable pliable material. In one method of practicing my invention, the sheeting 25 has applied 15 thereto a coating of reinforcing binding material, such as asphaltum or any other suitable material adapted to cool from a molten mass to become dry and semi-rigid. Figures 3 and 4 show a coating 2l of alphaltum applied to the 0 surface of sheet 25, thereby producing a rein forced semi-rigid sheet which is self-supportable over a limited extent and yet bendable. A plurality of slits 21 are then formed into the rei inforced sheet 18 by any suitable cutting means. 5 such as a conventional cutting die. In the preferred arrangement. the slits are disposed in parallel rows in staggered relation. alternate rows being identically disposed with corresponding slits in horizontal alignment. I If it is desired to employ camouflage stri s or ribbo s such as are now used in conlunction with cord netting, the said strips 2l can be applied to the portions of sheet 28 between the slits 21,-as is indicated in Figures and 7. The said 3 3 strips 2l can be applied either adhesively, or by means of fasteners 30 as indicated in Figures B and 9. If asphaltum is employed as the reinforcing material, theJLImLQBJLi/ tlgf before the asp altum .lili .t ependentr'adhesive or fasten ng m1" n. pl'ce'd.

By referring to Figure 10, it will be seen that when opposite pulls are applied in directions A and B, transverse to the longitudinal extent of the slits, the slits will be separated to form a plurality of apertures 3|, these apertures constituting in effect interstices of a mesh-like or netted arrangement resulting from the aforesaid pull. The entire region of the sheet Il contain# 0 ing the mesh-like arrangement is spread to expanded proportions by such a pull, and such region is also somewhat distorted due to the warping of the portions of material 18 surrounding each of the interstices 3| out of the plane of the sheet. By referring to Figure il it will be seen that the region 32 is considerably thicker than the region 3l representing a single sheet of the covering material where the slits have not been separated. If the slits are made a trifle shorter. and farther apart, the distortion will be correspondingly greater, thereby serving the functions of camouflage stripe such as those identified by the reference numeral 2l, under certain conditions. Not only would the use of camouflage strips be eliminated with such a construction, but the use of all surface texture elementsy like granules, sand, etc., as weil, particularly when the surface of the material is prepared with an' irregular pattern of some dull camouflage color pigment. This would produce a varied irregular surface. pattern composed of highlights, and* a; multiplicity of shades to blend with the terrain in a very deceptive manner.

It is within the contemplation of my inverntion to employ the slitted sheeting :l with various types of surface' eifects, either a fiat color pigment applied to the surface, or strips or ribbons 20 of camouflage material as shown in Fiaure 12, or special types of camouage texture particles Il (Figures 14 and 15) made of granules of cork, bark, sisal, paper, sand or other suitable elements. The last mentioned typo is illustrated in Figure 1B when in its extended condition, and the ribbon type is illustrated in similar condition in Figure 12.

When a sheet of suitably surfaced sheeting 2l, in its expanded condition, is applied to an object to be concealed from the enemy, such as the gun Il, the reinforced semi-still' material 1B is sell-supportable over ll'mited'areas. This is a distinct vadvantage over the limp cord netting conventionally used which requires special structural elements to prop up different sections of the camouflage covering. Due to the pliabilii-y of the material, it fs readily formed into creases, folds and elevations with the least amount of effort to simulate ground conditions and to give no suspicion o! the underlying objectives. Should it be desired to make adjustments in the covering. it will not be necessary to remove structural props, but merely to manipulate the covering according to requirements. Furthermore, the intersectices 3l enable observations to be made, and serve to admit air for ventilation, which has always been considered extremely necessary for the men operating therebeneath. The interstices also serve to reduce the wind resistance. thereby enabling this structure to stand up in windy weather much more readily than the solid type of camouflage.

By arranging and cutting sheets 28, while in their contracted or unextended conditions, to predetermined sizes. they can be readily formed into rolls 3l, and thereafter conveniently sorted and labelled such as by the label 3l, according to the surface characteristics or ground typogindexing such rolls Army officers can at any time. by referring to a camouflage manual specially prepared for the purpose. order the desired type of camouflaging material for use in any terrain, merely by designating the type required by a suitable number or other means of identification.

The adaptability of sections of completed camouflage material made according to this invention for use in rolls renders such material suii able for many important military applications. For example, a roll of this type of camouflage material 3l may be placed within a cylindrical container 38 (Fig. 18) so that the lowermost portion extends from the slot 40. The roll may be disposed over a yieldably mounted shaft 4l similar to that employed in conventional window shades, the detalls of which are not herein described as the structure is well known in the art. 'l'hc` upper portion of nhcci. Il ir: preferably lolmlmhly lm'ulvul lo lim rntnlullm nirlp Il los` icm-l is nnhl nlinft M tlm llniuvlmllln fonia-iwi! I) being one mcihod hy which thf.` chori, Il nud strip 42 are connected. It is of course linderstooll that other means of supporting thc sheet Il may be employed within the scope of this invcntion and with the sume force nud cilcet as by the specific means illustrated.

The tubes I! can be secured to any object intended to be concealed from the enemy, such as an airplane. tank, truck. hangar, building or other structure. When applied to an airplane.

a number of tubes ll may be secured to the Upper portions and on both sides thereof, or to such other regions where they would be least discernible and would constitute a minimum impediment. When the airplane is grounded and ready to be camoufiaged, the sheets 3l are pulled down from the tubes, in the manner indicated in Pleure 21. It will be noted that in this condition the slits u are closed. Thereafter the fasteners l) are removed, and each sheet stretched laterally, the upper ends being attached to the hooks 48 at the top of the structure. I'he lateral edges of adjacent sheets are also detaehably secured together by the ring las toners 48. as indicated in Figures 22 and23. In this manner the originally relatively narrow sheets are spread out over an extended are: to provide a continuous camouflage covering for the entire airplane. To return the camouflage sheets to their containers, the fasteners di are removed, each sheet detached from hooks I. a pull applied in the longitudinal direction of the slits, whereby the netted material is contracted and the slits closed; and then the sheet is Ilttached to the retaining strip I2 and the entire section operativclv retracted through slot 4|.

The modification shown in Figure 24 is intended to prolong the useful life of camoufiaging sheets of my invention. The slits 41 have enlarged terminals 4l, preferably in the form of circular apertures which prevent a tearing of the material at the ends of the slits upon an operative opening of the slits. Where the slit is cut in a straight line. there might be a tendency to rip open the material in the direction of said line.

It is thus apparent that by the system of camcuilaglng herein described, suitable camouflage materials can be economically prepared in sheets by production methods, and relatively narrow sections of these sheets in predetermined lengths can be stored and transported in compact form. These sheets can be then expanded to cover areas several times their original extent, and applied to the objective to be concealed with a speed consistent with modem military requirements. And when operatively applied. the resulting covering offers not only the desired camouilaging effect, hut also ventilation and visibility for the men beneath the covering. Furthermore. it lends itself readily to adjustments and changes in arrangement without the use of structural props. and can to a very considerable degree remain unailcctcd by atmospheric disturbances.

lt is of course understood that other additional forms and adaptations of the devices, materials and method can be employed beyond and in addition to those hereinbefore described. all within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a method of military camouflaging of an objective with sheet material. the steps n! provldioa n foundation shot-t of pliable matorinl, nilfirnlng said foundation material n pro- (loimmlnril amount by reinforcing it n vivido. tcrulinml amount along the entire extent themof whereby the pliability will be decreased without rendering it unbendable. cutting slits in a section of said reinforced material at predetermined intervals, separating said slits to form l plurality of interstices in the material. and applying said section over the objective.

2. In a method of military camouflaclng of an objective with sheet material. the steps of ap plying asphaltum to a foundation sheet of pliable material whereby the sheet will be stlffened without becoming unbendabls. cutting slits in a section of said stifle-ned material at predetermined intervals, separating said slits to form a plurality of interstices in the material, and applyina' said section over the objective.

3. In a method of military camouilaging of an objective with sheet material, the steps of applying to a foundation sheet of pliable material a molten mass of reinforcing material adapted to become dry and semi-rigid upon cooling, cuttina slits in a. section of said material at predetermined intervals. attaching camouilaging elements of predetermined characteristics to said section at the restons between the lits and upon said reinforcing material before it has dried. whereby said elements will adhere to the said section upon a drying of said reinforcing material. separating said slits to form a plurality of intersticcs in the material, and applying said section over the objective.

4. In a military esmouflaging device. a camouflage covering sheet of pliable material, at least one layer of reinforcing material applied over seid sheet. said reinforcing material being of greater stiffness than said pliable sheet whereby the combined sheet and layer will be selisupportable over a limited extent and yet bendable. and a plurality of slits at predetermined intervals in said sheet, said alii.: being adapted to be seperated to form lnterstices in the material.

5. n a military camouflasins device. s camouilage covering sheet of pliable material, at least One layer of asphaltum applied over said sheet, and a plurality of slits at predetermined intervals in said sheet, said slits being adapted to be separated to form interstices in the material.

6. In a military camouflaging device, a camouflage coverins sheet of pliable material. atleast one layer of reinforcing material applied over said sheet. said reinforcing material being of greater stiffness than said pliable sheet whereby the combined sheet and layer will be selfsupportable over a limited extent and yet bendable. a plurality of slits at predetermined intervals in said sheet. said slits being adapted to be separated to form interstices in the material. and a plurality of camouflage elements secured to the surface of said sheet between the said slits thereof.

MELDON MITCHELL. 

